In this podcast we chat with members of the editorial team from Developing Academic Practice  about the newly established open access journal published by Liverpool University Press.

Charles Buckley works as a Senior Academic Developer within the Academy at Liverpool University on a range of developments such as the MA in Academic Practice, the Degree Standards Project for external examiners; the Professional Services Ethics Committee and he is Institutional Representative for the NTF and CATE awards.

Gita Sedghi is a Senior Lecturer, the MSc Programme Director and the Internationalisation Lead in the Department of Chemistry and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Liverpool.

Tünde Varga-Atkins, PhD, is a Senior Educational Developer at the Centre for Innovation in Education, University of Liverpool and Senior Fellow (HEA).

Luke Simpson is currently working as an Administrator within the Academy at the University of Liverpool, Luke’s main areas of administration responsibility are within Academic Development programmes such as University of Liverpool Teaching Recognition and Accreditation (ULTRA) Framework & Foundations in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (FLTHE).

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/6FE799AD-B4E5-0EB4-4788-90220A2EA797.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#7311c97e-4de1-44b9-a326-c276be4fc423

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast we chat with Becky about her work with students to prepare them for the future in regard to developing programming and quantitative analysis skills.

Becky Jones has been working as a lecturer in the School of Life Sciences since 2018. Prior to this Becky spent a year as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Sussex, following on from her undergraduate in Zoology, PhD in Behavioural Ecology and a year lectureship at the University of Liverpool.

Becky is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover and keen baker. Having recently rescued a lurcher, named Bolt, she enjoys nothing more than long hikes in neighboring North Wales, easily reached from her home on the Wirral. Becky is additionally currently learning to ring birds, both as a hobby and to embed in her teaching and outreach.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/6FE799AD-B4E5-0EB4-4788-90220A2EA797.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#5ace3d8f-045e-4377-913c-53fd2802ca61

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast we chat with Gemma her module development and her use of micro-learning to support inclusion.

Dr Gemma Ahearne is a University Teacher in Criminology based in the School of Law and Social Justice. Gemma is a committed activist, teacher and researcher within the sex industry, and her involvement in this area spans almost twenty years. Dr Gemma Ahearne is committed to innovative pedagogical approaches particularly since being diagnosed with Dyslexia in October 2020. Living with various disabilities Dr Gemma Ahearne is keen to explore inclusive ways of working and learning that build on individual strengths and respect differences. In addition to the above, Dr Gemma Ahearne runs a popular Criminology blog with over 6800 subscribers at www.plasticdollheads.wordpress.com where her broad range of interests are explored. Dr Gemma Ahearne can also be followed on twitter @princessjack.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/6FE799AD-B4E5-0EB4-4788-90220A2EA797.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#44178927-8557-4b2c-9ed0-e266738f27ba

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast we chat with Rachel about her recent Sir Alistair Pilkington Award and how she has developed her laboratory teaching to ensure it’s active, authentic and supportive.

Dr Rachel Smedley has been a Lecturer in Geography at the University of Liverpool since 2018. She is interested in how the Earth’s climate and environment has changed in the past so we can better understand the future, working on processes in a range of environments from glaciers to coasts to rivers to landslides. She is both a field and laboratory scientist and brings these expertise into her teaching. She is a specialist in a laboratory technique called luminescence dating where we can take a sample of silt, sand or rock and determine how long it has been buried in the ground. Rachel loves being in the laboratory for her experimental research and really enjoys teaching students in the Central Teaching Laboratories at Liverpool where learning is all hands on.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/6FE799AD-B4E5-0EB4-4788-90220A2EA797.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#72b384b9-6bf0-4c0d-8bcf-b0483eada00c

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast we chat with Matt Murphy about how he has developed enhanced employability opportunities for students through authentic, industry-led projects.

Matt Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Design, and Director of Education, in the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Liverpool, UK. He is a metallurgist by background, with a PhD and 12-year technical research career in the additive manufacture (3D printing) of metals. For the last 14 years Matt has concentrated primarily on learning & teaching, and has held several leadership positions in the School of Engineering with special responsibility for curricular and pedagogic reform. Matt teaches a range of courses in design, materials science & manufacturing, but most enjoys leading the group design project modules. He establishes and supervises a broad range of student projects in fields such as energy from waste; urban farming; sustainable energy & transport; veterinary healthcare; circular economy; and the hyperlocal recycling of thermoplastics. In recent years Matt has focused on developing authentic learning and assessment experiences, in partnership with industry, that seek to replicate professional practice within undergraduate programmes. Matt is Chair of the University Education for Sustainable Development Working Group; has been a collaborator in the CDIO Initiative (cdio.org) for 16 years, and a member of its International Governing Council for 12 years.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/6FE799AD-B4E5-0EB4-4788-90220A2EA797.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#97d8d48f-75fd-485c-af5c-3231b8322a85

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast we chat with Heather White about how we can continue to network effectively in our new hybrid working environment.

Heather White is a leading international expert on all things Networking, Personal Brand and LinkedIn, and just loves connecting people! Heather believes the hard truth about networking is that if your contacts don’t ‘get’ you they can’t help you.  Networking is about building a strong network of contacts who understand you and are willing to recommend you when the moment arises.  It is also about caring for, and being of service to those in your network.

For the last 18 years, using a very down-to-earth and practical approach, Heather has helped countless people - to communicate their roles, strengths and value more confidently and to engage more both internally and externally to promote better communications, encourage business relationships and improve career progression.  Over the years Heather has delivered services to numerous high profile organisations such as: American Express, BAE Systems, BDO, Cambridge University Judge Business School, CGI, Christies, Commerzbank, Hult International Business School, Imperial College London, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, IOSH, Just Group plc, KPMG, London Business School, London Chamber of Commerce, Metlife, Motorola Solutions, Nationwide Building Society, PGIM, Royal Bank of Scotland, Siemens, The Law Society, UBM (UK) Ltd, University of St. Gallen and WHU Business School to name but a few.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: 

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com

In this Making an Impact Special we chat with Sabina, James and Tom about how, as colleagues working in HE, we can engage with policy makers.

Tom Arnold is a post-doctoral research associate at the Heseltine Institute of Public Policy, Practice & Place. He joined the institute in March 2020 after completing his PhD at the University of Manchester’s planning school, which focused on the rescaling of transport planning powers in Northern England. His research centres primarily on local and regional governance and institutions in England, and particularly their relationship with UK government.

James Coe is Senior Policy Advisor at the University of Liverpool.  He is responsible for providing advice on higher education, civic engagement, and wider policy developments, to the Vice Chancellor and her senior leadership team.

Sabina Frediani is the University of Liverpool’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, directing a team focused on staff and student communications, media relations, engagement with research and corporate events. Prior to joining the University in 2018, Sabina spent 20 years as a communications professional in the campaigning and charity sector. This included working as Director of Campaigns at the human rights organisation, Liberty from 2007 to 2014, where she lobbied policymakers on human rights issues and directed award winning public campaigns. She has worked for the disability rights charity, Mencap and managed public affairs at the Foundation for Peace, a charity working nationally and internationally to promote non-violent conflict resolution.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#1e7a3854-c539-4d4b-9bcc-c672fdc66b45

Music & FX:

This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com/

In this Making an Impact Special we chat with Sarah and Alys about how blogging can be a powerful communication tool.

Sarah Arrowsmith has been a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool since 2010.  Before Covid Sarah could be found in the laboratory carrying out wet-lab experiments focused on understanding uterine contractions to find novel treatments for preterm birth or slow to progress labours.  Since the closure of laboratories due to COVID however, Sarah has been working from home on a very different project investigating the impact of COVID-19 on different research groups within the university, with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusivity.

Sarah is a keen baker and cake decorator. She enjoys spending weekends with her 3-year-old daughter in the kitchen who, along with her husband, enjoys eating all the sweet treats.  During lockdown, Sarah took up running (to help burn off those cake calories!) and completed a 10K last October. Covid-permitting she hopes to run another this year and gain a new personal best.

Alys Kay has worked with Postgraduate Researchers in UK Universities for 11 years, as a facilitator and coach, specializing in personal and professional development. Alys is also a creative practitioner of socially engaged art, and has worked on many community projects facilitating storytelling and photography. During the pandemic Alys was part of a project that supported 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation African Caribbean individuals to write and share their stories about the legacy of the Windrush Migration. Alys believes in the power of stories, as a tool of self-discovery, a way to make sense of the world and to engage the hearts and minds of others. She is currently developing a number of written pitches for personal essays/podcasts of her own which she is planning to turn into a side hustle in the near future.

Alys enjoys seeking out experiences that push her out of her comfort zone, and has taken up online laughter yoga during the pandemic. She is also a podcast addict, and documentary–aholic, avid reader of creative non-fiction and has been indulging this as much as possible, whilst cuddling a cat or two. Alys spends lots of time on weekends rough and tumbling with her kids, getting trampoline lessons off her youngest and facilitating (and scoffing!) the baking of chocolate stuff.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#3e1b19b3-3724-4af8-a769-4c7997325e2b

Music & FX:

This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com/

In this Making an Impact Special we chat with Billy, Helen and Claire about how to keep global connections in a world with less travel and how virtual and hybrid techniques can support international collaboration.

Dr Billy Mitchell joined the University of Liverpool in 2016 and leads on support for global challenges research and international partnerships. He has presented at INORMS 2018, ARMA 2017, and Auril (Association for University Research and Industry Links) 2017.

Helen Carlin is International Partnerships Manager at the University of Liverpool, leading on partnerships in India and the Americas. She leads on UoL’s institutional partnerships with the University of Georgia in the US.

Prof Claire Taylor is Gilmour Chair of Spanish and Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Liverpool. She is a specialist in Latin American culture, with a particular interest in two main areas: literary and cultural genres being developed online by Latin(o) Americans; and memory studies, memory practices and transitional justice contexts in Latin America, especially Colombia.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-gb&login=1#c1ae72cc-96df-4e5c-a9ec-474024d8818e

Music & FX:

This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com/

In this podcast we chat with Tony about the pressures of leading a local authority through a pandemic together with ever decreasing funding.

Tony Oakman is Chief Executive at Bolton Council. Primarily his role is to create the conditions for inclusive prosperity, growth and connectivity.  Born in London he currently lives 20 minutes away from Bolton.  Tony describes his career as follows: “Over time I hope I have made a difference, been authentic, inspired people and had fun and whatever it takes.”  Tony is happily married with three adult children and spends most of his time walking his two dogs, Cherry and Frankie.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis, Organisational Developer and Alex Owen, Academic Developer are based in the Academy.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#80b8fa88-ab14-4fcb-81da-800f6d87d993

Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com